After cancer surgeries, Allen poised for Senate return

Sen. Diane Allen says she’s ready to return to the Senate after a nearly six-month absence due to an aggressive form of cancer.

[1]Allen, 62, is wading back into political activity this week for the first time since early November, when she had the first of two surgeries (with another pending) and began treatment for Stage III oral cancer that affected her head and neck.

Allen — a Republican from Edgewater Park who has been the 7th District’s senator since 1988 — said she intends to be back in Trenton in May and June for Senate sessions. “Somebody said I may be the only person around who’s really looking forward to it,” Allen said.

“I’m certainly not a hundred percent. My immune system isn’t where it needs to be, and my energy level isn’t where it needs to be. But my outlook is positive, and I figure that will carry me through,” Allen said.

Allen was treated at the University of Pennsylvania. Part of her care was participation in a clinical trial using laser radiation — “On virtually the very last day it was possible to get in, they got me in,” Allen said — that led to a second surgery, with another, smaller procedure needed this summer. Parts of her tongue, throat and the floor of her mouth have been removed, she said.

“Honestly, back in late October and November, I was figuring I may not make it anywhere,” Allen said. “Stage III cancer, and it’s a kind that kills people more than half the time. I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to see the spring. So your mindset really — it’s like, hurry up and get your wills up to date and, you know, have your kids come one more time. So this is a wonderful outcome.”

Allen said she intends to run for another Senate term in 2011 — “I’m definitely going to. There’s really no question,” she said — though the former television news anchor said she intends to de-emphasize partisanship in the next, unexpected stage of her political career.

“It makes you more aware of what’s important in life when you say, ‘Oh, OK, I’m going to live. It’s pretty cool.’ I think I’m going to apply myself a little bit differently, perhaps,” Allen said. “I’ve never really cared for politics. I know this sounds odd. I love the policy. I love solving people’s problems. I’m really not very good at politics, and I’ve just decided to accept that. I’m here to go good for the people I represent, and the people of the state, and I’m just not going to get involved in the politics.”

Allen had hoped to attend a Denim Day event Wednesday on the Statehouse steps, a local event that’s part of an international statement against sexual violence, but was unable to because she needed an MRI.

But she will attend a Women’s Political Caucus meeting Friday in New Brunswick, followed by a reception with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.